The award-winning team of Alexandria Nicole Cellars continues to expand its role as ambassadors for the Washington wine industry via this collaboration with Chelan entrepreneurs Greg and Jo Cowell. Here, it’s a Meritage-style blend of Cabernet Sauvginon (62%), Merlot (18%), Malbec (12%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit Verdot from vines that surround ANC winemakers Jarrod Boyle and Matt Dodson, which spent two years in a barrel program of 70% new French oak. It carries aromas of black currant, dark blueberry and elderberry with enchanting hints of coffee, allspice, pencil shavings and that almost telltale Horse Heaven Hills terroir note of minerality. The drink is a fruity one of Bing cherry and blackberry, backed by light chocolate, blueberry and pomegranate. Everything sits comfortably in balance within a medium structure, and it’s capped by a finish of cherry.